Smart phone use tied to cycle of depression

Much like a variety of substance addictions, cell phone addiction may be an attempt at mood repair,” according to researchers James A. Roberts, Chris Pullig, and Chris Manolis.

New research from Baylor University suggests that people who constantly check their phone may be linked to depression.

People check their phones on average 150 times throughout the day, according to the Kleiner Perkins Caufiled and Byers’s annual Internet Trends report.

Constant searches through e-mails, social media sites, and the internet “may act as pacifiers for the unstable individual distracting him or herself from the worries of the day and providing solace from concerns,” according to Roberts, Pullig, and Manolis.

Five Coyotes were interviewed for their opinion concerning heavy cell phone usage and its possible link to depression.

Student James Glenn feels the findings of the study are inaccurate.

When it comes to the reasons why people use their phones heavily, “mood repair is unrelated,” stated Glenn.

He stated that he believes that if a person has a phone that has the capability to access social networks, they are going to check those sites regardless of mood.

Student Erin Miramontes checks her phone frequently throughout the day and feels people use their phones as a crutch for comfort and to feel connected to others.

Miramontes occasionally uses her phone when she feels uncomfortable in a situation, but a majority of the time she utilizes her phone to escape from boredom.

Coyotes Paula Garcia and David Miranda also said they use their phones to access apps and features during moments of boredom.

“I go on Instagram to see what everyone is up to. Facebook is more entertaining because of all the videos people share and memes,” stated Garcia.

Although she checks her social media, she rarely contributes to her online profiles because she does not feel the need “to post up every bit of [her] life just to get likes to validate the fun [she’s] having.”

When asked if he believed that people can become addicted to using their phone, Miranda answered with complete certainty that it is possible.

“People get really attached to materialistic things that tend to make individuals feel dependent to that object,” stated Miranda.

Student Marisol Nava holds an opposing view compared to Miranda when it comes to thoughts of cell phone addiction.

“I do think some individuals can be too attached to their phone but [not] addicted,” stated Nava.

One thing Miranda and Nava do agree on though, they believe people use their phones to distract themselves from problems in their daily lives with selfie-filled feeds, random YouTube clips, and humorous, vintage Spider-Man memes.

While all the Coyotes did not state they felt heavy phone usage was linked to feelings of depression, there was a general consensus that they use their cell phones to escape from feelings of boredom.